You may want to paint the exterior of your home in time for the holidays, or get the house ready to sell in the spring. Since Newton experiences inclement weather starting in late fall, you're right to be concerned about the best temperature for painting outside.
What Temperature Outside is Too Cold To Paint Near Newton, MA?
Temperatures should be between 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit for exterior painting in the Newton area. Other variables to consider include:
- Paint Product (some paint brands can be applied down to 35º F).
- Surface Temperature (shady areas of your home may be colder than portions in the sun).
- Overnight Temperature (it should remain in the 40s or higher while the paint is drying).
- Rain (do not paint during or shortly after any amount of rainfall).
- Relative Humidity (should be between 40% to 70% for the duration of your painting project).
Let's Break Down the Best Temperature for Painting Outside
1. Outdoor Temperatures
During the daytime, when paint is actively applied, temperatures shouldn’t dip any lower than 50º F for most paint brands. This guideline isn’t universal and paint choice matters. There are some paints we can apply down to 35º F. Nevertheless, 50º F is a good rule of thumb.
While drying, some paint can tolerate temperatures as low as 32º F.
Of course, cutting your paint job that close to the wire is not advisable. Temperatures are unpredictable in Newton, and there’s a good chance the temperature might dip below freezing when you least expect it.
We’d advise avoiding an exterior paint project if temperatures are falling below the 40s at night.
The best temperature for painting outside is between 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit for exterior painting in the Newton area.
2. Surface Temperatures
Keep in mind that the surface structure of your house might be colder or warmer than the prevailing air temperatures. For example, if one portion of your exterior is in the shade, the surface might be 10º to 15º colder than the thermometer reading.
Failure to take surface conditions into account can result in uneven and unattractive exterior painting results on portions of your home.
3. Rain, Humidity, and Other Weather Variables
Rain is a threat to any exterior paint job. First, paint won’t absorb into a wet surface, so your home’s exterior needs time to dry after even a sprinkling of rain. Second, the rain dilutes or can actually wash away the paint if it doesn’t have time to dry sufficiently.
Snow is just as much a threat, and colder temperatures that come with snowstorms increases the drying time.
Humidity makes a big difference, too. Too much moisture in the air produces brown or white spots on the paint’s surface, called surfactant leaching. The paint may also bubble.
Ideally, humidity should be between 40% to 70% throughout the duration of your exterior painting project.
4. Painting Project Timeline
When choosing the best temperature for painting outside, factor in a) the outdoor and surface temperatures, b) the time it will take to apply the paint to the surface of your home, and c) how long the paint needs to dry properly.
Lower temperatures mean slower drying time and longer curing time. You’ll also need 24 hours between each coat of paint (in proper temperature and weather conditions).
Consider all factors and how they will affect exterior painting for the duration of the project.
What Happens to Paint When it’s Too Cold?
If the temperature is too low (or even too high) the paint won’t bind correctly. The result is a paint job that could crack and peel. Color uniformity is also affected and touch-ups won't look cohesive.
When is it Too Cold to Paint Inside?
The idea that weather can impact exterior paint jobs is intuitive enough, but what about indoor paint jobs?
It might surprise you to learn that cold weather can have a serious impact on interior painting, too. Often, cold outdoor temperatures lead to indoor condensation. You might not see vapor collecting on your walls or actively forming water droplets, but the moisture is still there.
This means paint can peel and chip on interior surfaces, too.
The good news is that if your home has proper insulation and ventilation, interior painting is possible even on days we can’t do an exterior job. The professionals at ProTEK Painters evaluate the conditions in your home for successful interior house painting.
Trust the Experts to Paint Your House During Cold Weather Months
Achieving outstanding exterior and interior paint results is difficult enough when conditions are perfect.
Get long-lasting results and vibrant color with the professional house painting team at ProTEK Painters. We help you choose the right paint for your home’s surfaces and prevailing weather conditions, and are adept at balancing weather factors and the best temperature for painting outside.
Contact us with questions or schedule your free estimate!
House Painting Service Area
Find ProTEK Painters near Arlington, Auburndale, Belmont, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chestnut Hill, Jamaica Plain, Lexington, Needham, Newton Centre, Newton Corner, Newton Highlands, Newton Lower Falls, Newton Upper Falls, Newtonville, Newton, Roslindale, Somerville, Waban, Waltham, Watertown, Wellesley, West Newton, West Roxbury, Weston, and Winchester.
